Sunday, April 11, 2010

Why harp on a non-issue?

IT’S strange that some of us should find it difficult to identify ourselves first by our nationality and then only by our ethnicity. Yet, when we are overseas, none of us, including the politicians, have any qualms calling ourselves as Malaysians first.

When we fill up the immigration forms before we enter a foreign country, they only want to know our nationality and the passports we carry.

Really, they don’t give two hoots about our race or religion. They may want to know our gender or marital status but beyond that, no country, Malaysia included, really wants to know more than is required.

This is from my On The Beat column today. To read the full comment, please click here.

rajraman666.The issue here the other country only ask our nationality as standard operating procedure like our country ask others but our country call Malaysia ask more question when our foot in our soil call Malaysia.Then the question will start.. what race you are,what religion you are and are you a "UMNOPUTERA/PUTERI" to get any privilege.

Why coin up the term 1Malaysia if they are not proud to identify themselves as Malaysians first?? It's sad to hear that someone feels so strongly about calling himself Malay first and Malaysian second. Let's drop the term 1Malaysia, we are a laughing stock in the eyes of the world.

Spot on Dato Wong....as a Malay I share your sentiments and hope more Malays will do so. I have always advocated fair and just treatment for all Malaysians and this concept will automatically stop all bickerings and back stabbings not only between the various races in Malaysia but also amongst the Malays, as everything is based on merits!

About Me

Wong Chun Wai, 48, is the Group Chief Editor of The Star newspaper in Malaysia. Wong writes a weekly column "On The Beat" in The Sunday Star. He regards himself as a newcomer to the New Media and believes it can co-exist with the mainstream. The views expressed in Wong's blog are entirely his and do not represent that of his newspaper. More on Wong, click here.